Destroyers: Groce shoulders his pain to catch a spot in playoffs

Destroyers receiver Damien Groce was told his separated shoulder would take six to eight weeks to heal.

Destroyers receiver Damien Groce was told his separated shoulder would take six to eight weeks to heal.

He returned last week after missing only two weeks.

Yes, the shoulder hurts. Yes, he's a bit limited.

But physical pain isn't a match for mental anguish, and the prospect of sitting on the sideline with an Arena Football League playoff spot on the line made a few winces worth it. So Groce gutted it out, and his 11 catches and two touchdowns helped the Destroyers rout the New York Dragons in the regular-season finale.

"I knew it wasn't going to heal in time, but I've got to play," Groce said yesterday as the Destroyers prepared for a wild-card game Saturday at the Tampa Bay Storm. "I've worked too hard. We've all worked too hard. We've got a good team and good people, and we deserve to be in the playoffs."

The Destroyers almost certainly wouldn't be in the playoffs without Groce, probably the team's most valuable player. His 31 touchdowns set a Destroyers season record. His 118 receptions and 1,342 receiving yards lead the team by considerable margins. He also has added two touchdowns on kickoff returns.

Groce has had success in Columbus before. In 2005, he led the team with 116 catches and 1,417 receiving yards. But that individual success was overshadowed by the team's 2-14 record.

So Groce understands better than many players how precious this opportunity is. Besides, because he's only 5 feet 8, he's had to work for every chance he's had.

"All my life," he said. "From Pop Warner. 'Too light, too small.' In high school, no matter what I did, the same excuse."

He said colleges didn't recruit him until he proved himself in junior college. Despite two productive seasons at Iowa State, the NFL wouldn't give him a sniff.

Even his arena football career began humbly. A San Bernardino, Calif., native, he went to a Los Angeles Avengers practice and asked for a tryout. He eventually earned a roster spot. But after playing in two games in 2000, he suffered a knee injury the next year and was cut.

Then he crossed paths for the first time with current Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy at a tryout for the New York Dragons. They hit it off immediately.

"I just said, 'Throw it to me deep every play,' " Groce said. "We probably scored eight or nine touchdowns, and the coach pulled us out of the tryout and took us to his office and signed us."

Groce had a breakout season for the Carolina Cobras in 2004 and an even better one for the Destroyers the next year. After a disappointing 2006 season with the Arizona Rattlers, he returned to the Destroyers. In his mind, he was at the bottom of the depth chart.

If the Destroyers had 10 receivers in training camp, "I was probably 11," Groce said with a laugh.

That's probably the chip on his shoulder talking. Coach Doug Kay said he always envisioned Groce as one of the team's primary receivers, and Nagy has always been in his corner.

"He's a special part of what I've done this year," Nagy said. "He's helped me out tremendously. We've had that connection for several years."

Groce, 28, has good speed and is extremely elusive. Kay said Groce understands how to use the confines of the arena field and has worked hard to improve his route running.

"I have to kick him off the field after practice because he's out there running routes," Kay said. "He's been a pleasure, a genuine pleasure."

Notable

Destroyers center Will Rabatin, part of a line that surrendered only 13 sacks, has been named to the league's all-rookie team.

brabinowitz@dispatch.com

"We've got a good team and good people, and we deserve to be in the playoffs."

Damien Groce

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.